Cherry Blossoms (SAKURA) Viewing, Tokyo

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When I was a child, we visited Washington DC almost every spring, so as to see the wondrous sight of the cherry trees in full bloom around the Tidal Basin. We thought there were a lot of cherry trees in DC. (Well, there are.) But compared to the number of cherry trees in Japan, and the impact of their blooming on the populace, we had nothing to boast about. Cherry blossoms are serious business throughout the country. If you happen to be in a modern building which streams video into your elevators, providing stock quotes and weather forecasts, you are also going to see a prediction about how the blossoms are doing. A chill in the air as the buds swell is cause for consternation. But eventually the forecasters announce that the trees are 80% or more in bloom, and suddenly what seems to be the entire population goes a tiny bit bonkers. Hanami, the art of viewing cherry blossoms, can take place anywhere there are cherry trees, but in fact people tend to flock to some of the larger parks. Recommended carry-ins include a tarpaulin or blanket on which to sit, something to eat, and (especially) something alcoholic to drink.

When going to Tokyo at the end of March/beginning of April you can't oversee that the people are eagerly awaiting the first blossoms to open. The Sakura has become the virtual national flower although this post is still held by the chrysanthemum. Anyways, Japanese love their cherry blossoms and so do people in Tokyo. There is not only one kind of blossom but there is a variety of diefferent cherry blossoms that differ in size, number of petals, and, most importantly, color. The usual time of the first opening of the blossoms in Tokyo is 28 March, with the tree being in full bloom about one week later. It is this time that all people flock out to the parks to do "Hana-mi" or cherry blossom viewing. People have picknicks and take photos of the most beautiful ones.

The best spots for doing Hana-mi are Ueno Park and shinjuku Gyoen Park, but also the Imperial Palace Gardens have nice spots.

End of March till mid April will probably the best time for cherry blossom appreciation in Tokyo city. The tree is totally leafless & views of the flowers just too awesome to be described.

Beside the viewing of sakura, the Japanese families or student outings will normally filled with fun, foods, drinks (especially Asahi beers) and they will dance to the music played from the portable stereo that they bring along. It's quite entertaining and blends in quite well in such a beautiful sakura garden.

Sakura season mainly from the end of March and the beginning of April each year. Most of the young people with family member will have a picnic under the Sakura trees. As per saying `Hana Yori Dango' means `Not flowers but florist sweets'. Nobody actually look at the Sakura but busying on eating the food. Arrange your holiday to Japan in this season and you will be able to understand what I said.

Spring is one of the best times to visit Tokyo. Though the exact timing may vary from year to year, it is generally on the first week of April. To check out the estimated dates for the blooms, click here.

Some of favourite places for viewing the blooms are in Shinjuku Gyoen Park, Yoyogi Park and Ueno Park.

Imperial Garden mixes Western and Eastern influences in its layout with English, French and conventional Japanese pond-style gardens. It also has quaint tea ceremony houses and a greenhouse with a considerable collection of tropical plants. It is most famous though for its 1,500 cherry blossom trees which in early spring paint the whole place with different hues of pink.

If you happen to be in Japan during Sakura, cherry-blossom, you definitely must see it! Go to a park and take in not only the beautiful flowers, but also the people and events surrounding it!
We went to Ueno park during sakura, and were amazed at how crowded ot was. Lots of people having Sakura-viewing parties - eating, drinking and looking at the flowers.

Ohanami or (sakura) flower viewing parties.
If your planned travel to Japan falls within the month April, make sure have a picnic and join everybody in celebration of the blooming of sakura trees. Cherry blossoms signify the end of winter and the start of the spring season although they look very much like snow-capped trees. Oh, and don't forget the sake! =)